Does postpartum constipation cause uterine prolapse?

Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
Updated on February 20, 2025
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Postpartum constipation generally does not lead to uterine prolapse. Uterine prolapse is mainly associated with women engaging in heavy physical labor, standing for long periods, or performing strenuous activities too soon after childbirth. Additionally, prolonged coughing after childbirth or severe constipation can increase abdominal pressure, which may lead to uterine prolapse. Furthermore, multiple pregnancies or improper handling during childbirth, especially in cases of difficult labor, can easily cause damage to the tissues around the uterus, including tears, which can result in uterine prolapse.

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Written by Sun Shan Shan
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Uterine prolapse is treated in the Department of Gynecology.

Uterine prolapse requires registration with the gynecology department as it is a type of gynecological disease. There are many causes of uterine prolapse, including pregnancy and childbirth. Particularly, vaginal delivery before childbirth or difficult deliveries involving suction can weaken the supporting strength of the pelvic fascia, ligaments, and muscles due to excessive stretching, leading to uterine prolapse. Additionally, aging, especially post-menopause, can cause an atrophy of the supporting structures, also leading to uterine prolapse. Other causes include chronic cough, abdominal effusion, and obesity, which can all lead to uterine prolapse. Therefore, once uterine prolapse occurs, it is necessary to promptly visit a hospital for examination to determine the extent of the prolapse, and treatment should be conducted according to the examination results.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Symptoms of postpartum uterine prolapse

When postpartum women experience uterine prolapse, they often feel a sensation of heaviness in the abdomen, noticing a swollen mass protruding from the vulva. Postpartum uterine prolapse can be categorized into mild, moderate, and severe prolapse. In mild cases, there is generally just a sensation of heaviness, while moderate to severe prolapse can cause difficulties in urinating and urinary incontinence. Additionally, during a gynecological examination, a protruding cervix can be detected near the entrance of the vagina, and when this condition occurs, timely rehabilitative treatment is necessary.

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Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What are the causes of uterine prolapse?

There are many causes of uterine prolapse in women, for instance, the most common one occurs during pregnancy and childbirth, especially when methods such as forceps delivery are used, which may damage the pelvic floor muscles or injure the vaginal wall. This causes damage to the pelvic floor muscles, and if not properly recovered postpartum, it can lead to prolapse. Additionally, some women might suffer from conditions like chronic pharyngitis, chronic bronchitis, long-term coughing, or have liver diseases or malignant tumors leading to a significant build-up of ascites. Frequent heavy physical labor or even simple obesity can increase abdominal pressure, causing uterine prolapse.

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Written by Liu Jian Wei
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What should I do if I have uterine prolapse?

The treatment of uterine prolapse needs to be determined based on the degree of prolapse and whether the patient has any clinical symptoms. If the prolapse is mild and the patient does not display obvious clinical symptoms, conservative treatment is recommended. Conservative treatment mainly involves pelvic floor muscle training to strengthen the pelvic floor support and facilitate the repair of the prolapsed uterus. If the prolapse is severe and is accompanied by serious clinical manifestations, surgical treatment may be considered.

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Written by Gao Tian
General Surgery
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How is a uterine prolapse surgery performed?

Regarding how to perform surgery for uterine prolapse, first, we must define what uterine prolapse is. It mainly refers to the descent from the normal position through the vagina, with the external cervix reaching below the level of the ischial spines, or even completely protruding outside the vaginal opening, which is called uterine prolapse. Therefore, preoperative assessments need to be conducted before surgery to check for inflammation and other methods. Then, there are two types of treatments: surgical and non-surgical. Non-surgical treatment mainly includes pelvic floor muscle exercises and physical therapy such as placing a uterine pessary. Surgical treatment involves surgical intervention based on the location of the prolapse.